Seay House

This simple dwelling with its prominent fieldstone chimney is considered the oldest standing residence in Spartanburg. When the home was added to the National Register in 1971, it was speculated to have been originally inhabited by Revolutionary War veteran Jammie Seay and built between 1770 and 1800. However, Jammie Seay’s son, Kinsman Seay, is now thought to be the home’s first owner, though it is likely that Jammie lived here with his son and his son’s family at some point. Modern historians believe the home was built around 1830, though no documentation exists to determine the actual date.

Made of logs and protected from the elements by wood sheeting, the Seay House presently sits on an acre of land. When it was built, the modest home was a small rectangular structure with a loft. An addition giving the house its “L” shape was built of clapboard siding. Jammie Seay owned hundreds of acres in the surrounding area and deeded portions of it to his children, giving his son Kinsman the property on which he built his home. At the time Kinsman’s property enveloped 100 acres.

Kinsman Seay, who was a founding member of Central United Methodist Church, had three daughters who never married and remained in this house until the 1890s. The daughters – Ruthy, Sarah, and Elizabeth – farmed the land for the remainder of their lives. Descendants of the Seays maintained connections with the home until 1969. Today the home is owned by the Spartanburg County Historical Association, which recently received a grant to make much-needed repairs to the Seay House as well as create a community garden. The home is occasionally open for tours on specific Saturdays while it is being repaired.

The Jammie Seay House, believed to be the oldest house within the present limits of Spartanburg, is a good example of log cabin construction. Built between 1770-1800, the house belonged to Jammie Seay, a Revolutionary War soldier of the Second Virginia Infantry who was born in Virginia in 1752 and died in Spartanburg County in 1850. The house stands alone on one acre of land at the crest of a knoll overlooking the city. It was originally a simple rectangular one-story house with a loft, field stone foundation piers, gabled roof, and an end field stone chimney. An “L” addition of same height with clapboard siding is at the rear and possesses a one-story lean-to front porch supported by square columns. The interior has a field stone fireplace.

Please Donate

We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader contribution, big or small, is so valuable. If you have enjoyed this page or found it helpful, please pitch in. Even donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

I am a descendant of Thornton Seay whose ancestors migrated to Cataloochee Valley, NC after 1820. Later decendants moved to Bryson City, NC where I grew up and now live. There are numerous other Seays in Bryson, but I do not know the relationships.

I am the great great granddaughter of John Kinsman Seay and Elizabeth Ross Seay, my great grandmother was Isabelle “Belle” Kinsman Seay, she married Humphrey Horace Reece. My grandmother was Nancy Irene Reece, she married Boyce Gifton Donnahoo…would like to know what days y’all are open this fall.

Recent Posts

Our Sponsor

Footer

ABOUT US

We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

CONTACT US

If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit. If there is no link, contact us and we will do our best to help.

SIGN UP

Subscribe here to receive the “SC Photo of the Week” in your inbox! Each Tuesday, we highlight a different South Carolina landmark. Emails include the landmark’s history, its location and a map, and of course, incredible photos!